Rise of a Football God

8 minutes after De Kelelaere's goal, in the 26th minute of the game, Lamine Yamal scored, drawing FC Barcelona level.

Sam played his part in the goal.

Winning an aerial duel between him and one of the tall Atalanta defenders, Sam was able to head the ball towards Gavi who quickly pushed it towards Lamine Yamal, and trust the teenage wonder.

Bam!

One slick touch to receive the ball, calming it, another touch to skip past a challenge, a flick to skip past another challenge, and then a volleyed shot, striking the ball while it still floated in the air.

Carnesecchi, Atalanta's goalkeeper stood no chance despite the fact that he clearly saw the ball as Yamal hit it with venom on his left foot.

The ball tore its way through the air, leaving a slight whistling sound in its wake as it nestled into the very bottom right corner, leaving the poor goalkeeper no chance.

Lamine Yamal quickly charged towards the corner flag with Gavi and Sam following him in tow, and then Sam hugged him, lifting him up excitedly.

As soon as he dropped the Spanish teenage wonder, together, the 3 players did a dance celebration, doing a viral dance challenge.

And this time, Sam didn't fumble. He did the dance well having practiced it ahead of time due to Lamine Yamal's urging.

At the end, amid the roar of the fans, he laughed.

"And just like that, FC Barcelona are level!"

"Honestly, what a team Hansi Flick has assembled in this squad".

"Last season, they were fearsome but with Sam, they are on another level completely. It's almost as if they don't know how to lose at all".

"This Barcelona side is scary honestly; it reminds of the all-conquering Barcelona sides of the early 2010s that ruled with Lionel Messi as the King".

"As an FC Barcelona fan, what a moment to be alive!"

"To witness the new King play, Samuel Moses!"

"And to witness the Prince alongside him, Lamine Yamal!"

After that goal, making it 1-1, this game became even tighter but the defense of both clubs managed to hold firm, playing at an elite level to hold off the onslaught of the world-class attack of both teams.

In the 43rd minute, De Ketelaere scored again, making it a brace but before the Italians could celebrate, the referee's whistle sounded.

It was an offside.

The audible groans from the Atalanta fans could be heard around the stadium. And in the end, the first half came to an end 1-1.

During halftime, Hansi Flick took it easy on his players, telling them to enjoy themselves on the pitch and when second half started, that was exactly what they did. Barca's midfield finally stepped up.

In the first half, they failed to hold on to possession due to Atalanta's seamless teamplay but in the second, Pedri Gonzalez finally stepped up.

In the 2nd half, Pedri became unplayable!

The ball could not be taken off the feat of the Spanish maestro as with it, he glided through the midfield like a kite, zipping back and forth, evading challenges, shifting and shuffling the ball, and playing those neat and tidy passes.

With Pedri playing like a man reborn suddenly in the 2nd half, FC Barcelona dominated possession, tightening their grip on the game, but then… after 10 minutes of this, Atalanta struck on the counterattack.

"OH! Pasalic has won back the ball!"

"He's passed to de Roon, and then to Zappacosta, and then a long ball to Ademola Lookman!"

"The Nigerian International has the ball!"

"Barcelona's dominating midfield have been cut through for the first time this second half, will it prove costly?"

Yes, it proved costly.

Catching Jules Kounde out of position, Lookman just managed to beat the Barcelona offside trap, beating Inigo Martinez for pace as he charged towards the Barca 18-yard box with the ball.

And just as Ter Stegen rushed out to meet him, calmly, he curled the ball towards the right, placing it into the net out of the goalkeeper's reach.

As the stadium erupted, without stopping his run, Ademola Lookman simply made a byline to the corner flag, placing one hand to his lips in celebration.

In response, provoked by that gesture, FC Barcelona fans roared.

"BOOOOOO…!!!"

They drowned the Nigerian International in boos.

Well… that gesture from Ademola Lookman, the shush celebration, it was a mistake. But that was the turning point, the gesture that awoke the slumbering beast.

And all of a sudden, Barca fans no longer took the game casually.

All of a sudden, they wanted a bloodbath.

All of a sudden, they wanted a slaughter.

BOOM!

Like a war chant, they roared at the top of their lungs, showing their intention to their players and well, the players played for the fans.

If that was what they wanted, then they'd do it.

Ademola Lookman scored in the 55th minute of the game, making it 1-2, but then it started…

FC Barcelona erupted, upping the tempo of the game.

In the middle of the park, Pedri and Frankie De Jong became beacons of light in darkness, supplying light to the attack in need of service.

Raphinha got the second goal.

Not in the 60th minute, not in the 70th minute, but in the 81st minute, buoyed by the loud roar of determined Barca fans.

After receiving a pass from Gavi, the Brazilian executed an immaculate touch to beat his man, and then rifled a shot past Atalanta's goalkeeper, beating him at his near post to equalize the game.

81 minute, 2-2…

And yet, that was not all.

While Atalanta held for its life, desperate to hold on to the draw at the very least, Sam finally erupted, coming up clutch.

Well, something influenced it actually.

[Your passive skill has triggered: Clutch Player!]

[All your abilities and attributes have increased by 50%!]

Sam scored from a dead-ball situation, leaping highest, outmuscling the Atalanta defender and planting an unstoppable header towards goal… in the 90th minute, clutch!

He made his return in grand style.

Charging towards his corner flag, Sam kissed the FC Barcelona badge before turning and showing his jersey to the fans, pointing to his name.

"Sam!" "Sam!" "Sam!"

The familiar chants erupted at the Spotify Camp Nou.

FC Barcelona won the game 3-2.